A 5-wicket win in the fifth test of the Ashes 2025-26 steered Australia to seal the five-match series 4-1.

Despite the hurdles, the hosts successfully chased a mediocre 160-run target at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to end the series on a dominating note. Thanks to Travis Head’s 12th test ton and Michael Neser’s 4-fer in the first innings, which laid a solid foundation for the Aussies.

Hadn’t England won the fourth test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the series would have ended in four consecutive heartbreaking whitewashes for the visitors on Australian soil.

Starting from the Perth test to the recently concluded clash in Sydney, Australia’s dominance at home was exhibited by top-notch batting and bowling performances (excluding the Melbourne test).

England’s First Innings Performance in Vain

A 384-run total in the first innings seemed to be competitive enough for England. Joe Root’s 160 runs from 242 balls (including 15 fours) and Harry Brook’s 84-run knock off 97 balls (including 6 fours and 1 six) proved ineffective against Australia’s in-depth batting lineup.

Michael Neser’s 4/60 in 18.3 overs, along with the 2-fers of Mitchell Starc (2/93 in 23 overs) and Scott Boland (2/85 in 26 overs), enhanced the quality of the Australian pace bowling attack.

Head and Smith’s First Inning Show All the Way

Travis Head once again showed his prowess by scoring his third century of this series. His quickfire knock of 163 runs from 166 balls (including 24 fours and 1 six). Steve Smith, too, joined the show on his homeground by scoring his 5th century at this venue. His 220-ball 138 runs (including 16 fours and 1 six) allowed the Aussies to conveniently take a competitive lead.

Ultimately, Beau Webster’s cameo as a tailender scoring an unbeaten 71 runs off 87 balls (including 7 fours) bolstered Australia’s first innings to 567 in 133.5 overs. 

The hosts’ 183-run lead after the first inning was indeed the turning point of the game. Likewise to the first innings, England managed to compile only a 300+ total.

Jacob Bethell’s Century Not Enough to Set Tough Target

Jacob Bethell, at a very young age, showed a great level of resilience. He batted at a strike rate of 58.11 and scored 154 runs off 265 balls (including 15 fours). This was indeed his maiden century in the longest format of cricket.

Although Ben Duckett and Harry Brook scored 42 each, England failed to set a formidable target.

England mitigated the deficit of 183 runs but managed to compile only 342 in the second innings, setting a modest target lower than 200.

The noteworthy bowling figures of Beau Webster (3/64 in 16 overs), Mitchell Starc (3/72 in 18.2 overs), and Scott Boland (2/46 in 25 overs) restricted the Ben Stokes-led side to below 400 in their second innings.

Nervy Moments in 4th Innings

Australian openers Travis Head (29 runs) and Jake Weatherald (34 runs) got off to a speedy start. The duo of left-handed batters in the initial phases made it easier to chase a subpar target.

However, Josh Tongue (3/42 in 11 overs) and Will Jacks (42/1 in 6.2 overs) strengthened England’s bowling attack by dismissing half of the Australian side.

Especially on Day 05, the ball started to spin heavily, favoring spinners. Despite the nervy moments, Cameron Green (22 runs) and Alex Carey (16 runs) took their time to settle at the crease and steered their team safely to a convincing win.

5 Notable Records From the Ashes 2025-26

As the Ashes 2025-26 comes to a wrap, here are the most noteworthy records from the five-match test series between Australia and England:

1. Catching Efficiency of Australia vs England

With 85.3%, Australia’s catching efficiency was absolutely impressive, having dropped just 12 catches throughout the series.

Contrarily, England dropped 18 catches with their catching efficiency ranging upto only 75.3%.

2. Steve Smith’s Captaincy Records in The Ashes

Australia under Steve Smith’s captaincy now maintains an 80% success rate in The Ashes, having won 8 out of 10 games (including a loss and a draw).

3. Australia in Home Tests vs England Since the 2010/11 Ashes Loss

Ever since losing the Sydney Test to England back in the 2010-11 Ashes, Australia has remained unbeaten at home by winning 16 out of 18 matches (including 2 draws). 

However, Steve Smith’s led team’s recent loss in the Melbourne test ended their 16-match winning streak. Nevertheless, Australia still dominates the charts starting from the 2013-14 season by winning 17 out of 20 matches in the Ashes at Home (including 2 draws and 1 loss).

4. Highest Run Rate in the History of Test Cricket Series

With a 4.07 run rate, the Ashes 2025-26 stands out as the highest ever recorded in a test series so far:

5. Australia’s 3 Wicketkeepers with 300+ Runs and 25+ Dismissals

Alex Carey becomes the second Australian wicketkeeper, after the former captain Adam Gilchrist, to amass 300+ runs and claim 25+ dismissals in a single test series to date:

• Adam Gilchrist: 340 Runs and 26 Dismissals (in The Ashes 2001).
• Adam Gilchrist: 333 Runs and 25 Dismissals (in The Ashes 2002-03).
• Alex Carey: 323 Runs and 28 Dismissals (in The Ashes 2025-26).